The number of community associations in the United States grew from 10,000 in 1970 and 222,500 in 2000 to 342,000 in 2016, according to results of CAI's National and State Statistical Review for 2016. While the 2017 data are not yet available, CAI estimates the year will end with between 345,000 and 347,000 associations. Learn more

69 millionAmericans lived in common-interest communities in 2016-21.3% of the U.S. population in 2016

134 Managers Earn CMCA Certification

9/3/2004 - Alexandria,
VA

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The National Board of Certification for Community Association Managers (NBC-CAM) has granted credentials to 134 professionals who have completed the requirements to become Certified Managers of Community Associations (CMCAs).

CMCA certification signifies that managers have passed NBC-CAM's national exam and met the requirements for managing condominium, cooperative and homeowner associations. More than 5,000 professionals have earned CMCA certification since the program was developed in 1995.

"On behalf of the growing community of certified managers, I congratulate these professionals for their dedication to professional growth and career advancement," said NBC-CAM Chair Judi Phares, CMCA, PCAM. "With each new CMCA, we are providing one more professional with the knowledge and expertise necessary to manage homeowner and condominium associations and cooperatives." Phares is president and CEO of RTI/Community Management Associates, Inc., in Plano, TX.

NBC-CAM was founded by Community Associations Institute (CAI) to establish guidelines for acquiring and demonstrating fundamental knowledge of community association management. An affiliate of CAI, NBC-CAM operates as an independent entity.

CMCA certification is the first tier of professionalism recognition for community association managers. It is followed by the Association Management Specialist (AMS) and the Professional Community Association Manager (PCAM) designations. The AMS and PCAM designations are offered by CAI.

CAI is a 16,000-member national organization dedicated to fostering vibrant, responsive, competent community associations. Its members include professional managers, management companies, community association volunteer leaders and companies and professionals who provide products and service to associations.

To obtain CMCA certification, managers must successfully complete a 16-hour classroom course, the Essentials of Community Association Management, and pass the NBC-CAM National Certification Examination. The course is offered by CAI. The test was developed by managers, homeowners and association professionals and is administered by an independent testing agency.

Certified managers must adhere to the CMCA Standards of Professional Conduct and take continuing education courses for recertification. CMCA recipients who do no comply with the Standards of Professional Conduct are subject to disciplinary action, up to and including suspension or revocation of the credential.

NBC-CAM is the first and only nationwide organization created solely to certify community association managers and to help consumers identify managers who have demonstrated fundamental competency and knowledge in this profession. With the dramatic increase in association-governed housing during the last 25 years, there is an expanded need for education in community association management.

The number of community associations in the United States has grown from 10,000 in 1970 to more than 260,000 today.

A community association manager's duties include providing administrative, operational and managerial counsel to association boards and residents; developing association budgets and financial reports; enforcing community association covenants and restrictions; overseeing payment for community association services, and managing association personnel.